Updated Feb. 14, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
On this day five years ago, a mass shooting occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in which 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured.
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Who was the shooter in the Parkland shooting?
The shooter was identified as Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He was arrested and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. Cruz was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.
What was the response to the Parkland shooting?
The Parkland shooting prompted a renewed national debate about gun control, with many students from the school becoming vocal advocates for stricter gun laws. The shooting also led to increased security measures at schools across the United States.
What has been done to prevent future school shootings?
In the wake of the Parkland shooting, some states and the federal government implemented new laws and regulations to prevent future school shootings, including measures to improve school security, increase background checks for gun buyers, and raise the minimum age for purchasing certain types of firearms. However, the effectiveness of these measures is still debated.